- December 15, 2025
+ 75-year-old Bunnell woman almost hit by stray bullet
Jane Bittle, 75, was sitting in a recliner Dec. 1, in a mobile home 13 miles from downtown Bunnell, when shots were fired and the home was hit.
Later, Bittle realized that a bullet had struck the wall near where she was sitting.
After further investigation, deputies from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office found a second bullet inside the residence on the floor next to the wall in the living room.
No one was hurt. After speaking to the neighbors, deputies could find no further evidence or identify a suspect.
+ Motorcyclist struck and killed while calling for help
Gary Skelton, 67, of Bunnell, was killed Dec. 11, as he stood on the side of the road on County Road 302.
At 6:41 p.m., Skelton’s motorcycle was involved in a single-vehicle traffic crash. After, he was standing on County Road 302, possibly attempting to summon help from other traffic.
Wayne Davis, 67, also of Bunnell, was driving his Ford Explorer westbound on County Road 302 and failed to observe the pedestrian, according to the report from the Florida Highway Patrol. The left front of the Explorer struck Skelton within the westbound lane of County Road 302.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead on scene. Neither Davis nor his passenger, Jeanette Davis, 62, were injured.
+ Bunnell man turns himself in, following Dec. 6 chase
The Bunnell man who escaped from Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies Tuesday, Dec. 6, turned himself in the following Friday, Dec. 9.
Michael S. Testa, 21, was taken into custody at 9:49 a.m., in the area of Classic Court, in Palm Coast. Deputies said he had been staying in the woods.
“This was a peaceful situation where no one was injured,” said Flagler County Sheriff Donald Fleming. “It is a hoped-for outcome and a wise decision on the part of Mr. Testa.”
Testa was facing multiple felony charges after he fled deputies Dec. 6, as they questioned him in connection with a Palm Coast home burglary on Zebulah Trail.
Testa was believed to have pawned the stolen property at a Bunnell pawn shop.
Testa had been charged with two counts of dealing in stolen property, and one count of grand theft when deputies placed him into the back of a patrol car. Testa was cooperating with deputies and was writing out a statement while deputies completed paperwork. But Testa was able to reach out of the patrol car’s partially opened window to reach the exterior door handle and open the rear door.
He fled on foot and an air and ground search failed to locate him.
An additional charge of escape will be added, according to deputies.
+ Cash registers stolen from two Palm Coast businesses
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies were investigating the burglary of two businesses Sunday morning, on Utility Drive in Palm Coast.
Deputies reported that Saturday evening, burglars used cinder blocks to break the glass out of the front doors of Palm Coast Pet Spa and Colletti’s Italian Deli. In both instances, the cash registers were removed from the premises.
The incident is currently under investigation. Call 313-4911.
+ Palm Coast, Flagler County governments hire 80% local
According to officials, the city of Palm Coast has 337 full-time active employees, with 265, or 79%, living in Flagler County. Of the 307 county government employees, 83% are local residents.
According to County Administrator Craig Coffey, some of that out-of-county group grew up in the area, but bought homes just outside county lines.
Coffey added: “We consider local residency when we hire, but our primary focus is on hiring the best qualified individual for the position. Typically, you cannot fill all your skilled positions with only county residents.”
+ Corrections
The food pantry is open 10 a.m. to noon every second and fourth Thursday, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 75 Pine Lakes Parkway S. Call 447-5719.
+ Public Meetings
Palm Coast City Council — the next workshop is 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20 at the Community Center.
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners — the next workshop and regular meeting is 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at the Government Services Building.
Flagler County School Board — the next meeting is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Government Services Building.
